The Oakland A’s swapped a cost-controlled, high-ceiling pitcher for a 32-year-old rental, an uncharacteristic that tells us the organization may see their 2021 run as its last hurrah for this core. At its surface, the trade for former All-Star Starling Marte that sent Jesús Luzardo — the 23-year-old pitcher once seen as the future of…
What the Starling Marte trade means for the future of this Oakland A’s core — East Bay Times
The Lakers have been seeking a third star ever since pairing LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Reports: Lakers near deal for Russell Westbrook, who requested trade from Wizards — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
The Pelicans – in the midst of trying to prove their worthiness to Zion Williamson – sold a second-round pick to the 76ers.
76ers buy No. 53 pick from Pelicans, reportedly for $2M — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
USC big Evan Mobley would be the obvious – and now reported – pick at No. 3 by the Cavaliers.
Rumor: Raptors plan to draft Jalen Suggs No. 4 — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Jalen Suggs and his father, Larry, had Thursday night in mind when they discussed Jalen’s future a couple of years ago. Suggs starred in both basketball and football for years growing up, and he often was the best player on the court or the field — usually even when playing up multiple age levels. It […]
St. Paul’s Jalen Suggs on eve of NBA draft: ‘I couldn’t be more excited’ — Twin Cities
What’s certain: For the first time since 2018, the Clippers enter the NBA Draft with their own first-round pick. They’re slated to select a prospect at No. 25 on Thursday when the league’s annual selection show will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and air on ABC and ESPN starting at 5 p.m.…
Clippers have 25th pick in NBA Draft – but what else do they have planned? — Daily Bulletin
As this Friday’s trade deadline comes and goes and a roster crunch in the rotation approaches, the Red Sox may soon have a decision to make on Garrett Richards. As he continues to reinvent himself on the fly since MLB’s midseason ban on foreign substances, Richards hasn’t been consistent. Chris Sale’s return to the Red…
Garrett Richards hit hard, Red Sox squander big chances in loss to Blue Jays — Boston Herald
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer SAITAMA, Japan — The U.S. basketball team got back to winning – and winning easily. Damian Lillard scored 21 points and the Americans rebounded from an opening loss with their first victory of these Olympics, overwhelming Iran, 120-66, on Wednesday (Tuesday night PT). Devin Booker scored 16 points and…
U.S. men’s basketball routs Iran in bounce-back performance — Daily Breeze
TORONTO MARLIES SIGN FORWARD CURTIS DOUGLAS
The Toronto Marlies announced today that the hockey club has signed forward Curtis Douglas to a two-year AHL contract.
Douglas, 21, skated in 11 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this past season, recording one goal and three assists. He also appeared in 16 games with the Steel Wings Linz (AlpsHL) and registered 12 points (eight goals, four assists). The Oakville native split his OHL career between the Barrie Colts and the Windsor Spitfires, collecting 168 points (83 goals, 85 assists) through 247 career regular season games. With the Spitfires, he set career highs in goals (30) and assists (30) during the 2019-20 season. Douglas was originally drafted 106th overall in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars.
The Toronto Marlies are the primary development program for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since 2005, 132 players have appeared in regular season games at both the NHL and AHL levels. The Toronto Maple Leafs roster in 2020-21 featured 17 players who have dressed for both the Maple Leafs and Marlies – Frederik Andersen, Adam Brooks, Travis Dermott, Pierre Engvall, Alex Galchenyuk, Justin Holl, Michael Hutchinson, Zach Hyman, Timothy Liljegren, Jake Muzzin, Stefan Noesen, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, Nick Robertson, Calle Rosén, Scott Sabourin and Rasmus Sandin.
BLUE JAYS NOTES (49-47)
THE BLUE JAYS lost when leading after 7 innings for only the 4th time this season (33-4).
Have lost 5 of their last 6 games but are 16-12 (.571) in their last 28 (beginning 6/19)…Are 1-3 on their current 7-game road trip.
Have lost their last 4 games against the Red Sox (4-8 vs. BOS overall in 2021).
Hit their 150th HR, most in the AL and 2nd-most in the majors (SF-151)…This is only the 2nd time they have reached 150 HR in 96 games or fewer, having also
done so in 2000 (160 HR in first 96 games)…Have 24 HR in 12 games vs. BOS this season, including 19 HR in the last 6 meetings.
Snapped a streak of 10 consecutive games without committing an error (Bichette, 3rd inning), 1 shy of MLB’s longest streak of 2021 (ATL-11).
BO BICHETTE (1-for-4) gave the Jays a 4-3 lead with a 2-out, 2-run HR in the 5th inning…Was his 9th go-ahead HR of the season, 2nd-most on the Jays (Guerrero-10).
His HR had an exit velocity of 111.8 mph, the 2nd-hardest HR of his career (112.0 mph on 5/16/21 vs. PHI).
In 12 games vs. BOS in 2021, is 20-for-51 (.392) with 5 2B, 4 HR, and 12 RBI.
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR. (2-for-4, RBI) has reached base via hit or BB in 23 consecutive starts vs. BOS (beginning 9/11/19).
In 12 games against the Red Sox in 2021, has gone 20-for-45 (.444) with 13 RBI, 10 XBH, and 9 BB.
THOMAS HATCH made his 2021 season debut (3.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, BB, 4 SO, HR)…Made his 2nd career start (also his ML debut on 7/26/20 at TB).
ADAM CIMBER (1.2 IP) retired all 5 batters faced…Extended his homerless streak to 50.2 IP, MLB’s longest active streak (last HR: 8/12/20 vs. CHC).
TAYLER SAUCEDO (0.2 IP, H, SO) retired Jarren Duran in the 4th inning…Has held left-handed hitters to a .053 AVG (1-for-19) this season
The United States men’s basketball team losing to France caused plenty of angst.
Report: Team USA players grumbling about ‘San Antonio offense’ — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
The view from left field 